The Best Things in Life ARE Free

Crashing markets, falling economies, lay-offs and foreclosures... Almost everyone I know has something financially to worry about, including me. Lately I've let the stress and worries of potential lay-offs & unexpected bills truly bring me down. It's not enough to have a roof over your head and a healthy family on the days where you have no idea where the money is going to come from to buy tires and replace the washing machine. That's what the last two or three weeks of my life has been like. It dawned on me this morning driving to work (aka: mommy's quiet time part 1) that there are so many things that I have to be thankful for that there's no reason I shouldn't be on my knees saying my thanks to God all day long. The list started to build and build in my head until I finally made my way to work. Something about pulling into the parking lot at my job makes my thoughts go from life, family, money, God & friends to W-O-R-K. Of course that could be a whole new blog entry... So, my 9 hrs of servitude pass by and as I drive to Wal-mart & daycare this afternoon (aka: mommy's quiet time part 2) I think again about my list from this morning and it finally hits me; I should blog about this. I don't know anyone that couldn't use a quick reminder about the best things in life that are free. 100% totally, wonderfully, FREE.
So here's my list so far:
fresh air & sunshine - There's some days that I honestly open my door and step outside and take a huge deep breath and it feels so good to have the sun hit me in the face. This does not include the days where the heat index is 115 and the humidity is 98%.
a trip to the park - fresh air & sunshine made me think of our family trips to the park right up the road from our house. Tennis courts, huge playground, batting cages, walking track, picnic tables & basketball courts...that's a lot of options for zero money.
going to church - okay, to some people this seems silly, but it's the truth. They don't MAKE you tithe & they don't look down on you if you don't have 20 dollars to stick in the plates they pass down the aisles....but free a/c (or heat), great company, a wealth of Christian knowledge & a feeling of closeness to God you can't get many other places so close to home and it doesn't cost you anything. Church has something to offer everyone if you open your heart.
Cuddle time with family - whether it's just you and your spouse or your kids & grandkids have curled up in your lap; sometimes there's just nothing better than having someone you love physically close to you. I genuinely hurt for those lonely people in the world that have no one to share these basic physical comforts with. I believe that it's a necessity to living a healthy life.
riding a bike/taking a walk - I will say that Josh has taught me the value of exercise. Not just his hardcore "gotta sweat and run until you can't walk" style of exercise, but just getting up and moving away from the t.v. or computer. I feel better physically & mentally.

Obviously there's a bunch more, but these are just the few that I really thought about this morning. My other favorite freebies are HUGS & KISSES. Yeah, laugh if you want, but I love getting hugs from everyone and I especially love kisses from my kids & hubby. I don't know if this blog will make anyone else feel better, but I hope so, because it honestly made me feel better just to type it up.

I'll get a blog entry together tomorrow that includes pictures of Brady's birthday party.